Anthony Bourdain's 13 Places to Eat Before You Die

by Rebecca Flint Marx, Posted Jun 3rd 2009 @ 4:00PM

Another day, another list. This time, it's Anthony Bourdain's "13 Places to Eat Before You Die," which appears in the June issue of Men's Health. Bourdain's article shouts out restaurants and stores across the globe, from New York's smoked fish shrine Russ & Daughters to Spain's gourmand ground zero, elBulli.

Bourdain acknowledges that as "any seasoned traveler can tell you, the 'best' meals on the planet are the result of an ephemeral confluence of circumstances," and makes convincing arguments for each of his picks, which also include Kansas City, Kan.'s Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Tokyo's Sukiyabashi Jiro and London's St. John.

But even with the disclaimer and rationale behind Bourdain's choices, plenty are as likely to find fault with his logic (and apparently abundant frequent flier miles) as they are with a list proclaiming, say, the best pizza places in the U.S.

We have the text of the article so you can weigh in on Bourdain's hits -- and misses -- after the jump.

13 Places to Eat Before You Die

By Anthony Bourdain for Men's Health

Any seasoned traveler can tell you that the 'best' meals on the planet are the result of an ephemeral confluence of circumstances. A table at the most expensive restaurant in the world does not guarantee a truly great meal.

That said, if you're planning on dying in the near future and want to knock off a list of final, glorious dining experiences, these places would make a very respectable binge.

Start with one. Make a reservation today. Go on an empty stomach. Trust me: This is livin'.

Brian Ach/WireImage

1. St. John (London)

If I had to die with half a bite of anything hanging out of my mouth, it would probably be the roast bone marrow in Fergus Henderson's plain-white dining room at St. John. Scooped out and slathered onto a crust of toasted bread and sprinkled with sea salt, it's simple yet luxurious.

The menu is proudly English, a rebuke to anyone still laboring under the impression that English food sucks. Famously pork-centric and focused on traditional offal and game dishes, St. John is as wonderful for what it does as for what it doesn't do: compromise. It specializes in good ingredients from 'happy' animals that are treated with love and respect.

Henderson has become a reluctant spiritual leader to a whole generation of chefs -- and even the old-guard guys love to stop by for crispy pig tails, ham in hay or a properly roasted bird. This is one of the truly bullsh---free zones on the culinary landscape.

Kake Pugh/flickr

2. elBulli (Girona, Spain)

It's the hardest reservation in the world. And everything they say is true: It's an adventure, a challenge, a delicious and always fun acid trip to the farthest reaches of creativity.

Brothers Ferran and Albert Adrià and their team are the most influential and creative people working in food -- and this surprisingly casual restaurant on a sleepy cove on Spain's Costa Brava is probably the most important restaurant of our time.

Love it or hate it, if you have the opportunity to wangle a reservation, do it. It's like seeing Jimi Hendrix's first show. Forget any preconceptions you might have. Is it good? Yes. More important -- is it fun? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Getty Images

3. The French Laundry (Napa Valley, Calif.)
4. Per Se (New York)

The best sit-down, multicourse, white-tablecloth meal of my life was at the French Laundry. And subsequent meals at Per Se, also run by chef Thomas Keller, were no less wonderful.

There's no better way to go than the full-on tasting menu, a once-in-a-lifetime marriage of the best ingredients, creative thinking and high standards, along with the personal imprint of the most respected chef in the world.

How can Keller be at both restaurants at once? It doesn't matter. Pick one. Fast for 2 days, stretch your stomach with water the day of, and then see how they do it at the very top. It's a level of perfection in food and service that few even try to approach.

synaethesia/flickr

5. Sin Huat Eating House (Singapore)

It's grimy looking, the service can be less than warm, the beer is served in a bottle (often with ice) and the tables sit halfway into the streets of Geylang, Singapore's red-light district.

But the crab bee hoon -- giant Sri Lankan beasts cooked with a spicy mystery sauce and noodles -- is pure messy indulgence. The whelks, steamed spotted cod, prawns, scallops (in fact, any seafood available that day) are all worth having. Warning: It looks cheap, but it's not.

weegolo/flickr

6. Le Bernardin (New York)

This is the best fish joint ... anywhere. And it's relevant and fun, despite its formal service and fine-dining ambience.

The grand tasting menu is a stripped-down thing of relatively austere beauty. And whatever they're doing this year or this month is always, always interesting.

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

7. Salumi (Seattle)

It's a sandwich shop with a couple of tables and a true mom-and-pop -- even if they're the mom and pop of famous chef Mario Batali.

Anything cured, anything braised, any of the limited hot specials ... in fact, anything the Batalis make is worth grabbing with both hands.

kenudigit/flickr

8. Russ & Daughters (New York)
9. Katz's Delicatessen (New York)

Russ & Daughters started as a pushcart nearly a century ago, and it now serves some of the last traditional Eastern European Jewish-style herring and smoked belly lox, sable and sturgeon.

And since you're close, walk down a few doors to Katz's to remind yourself how pastrami is done right. This is what New Yorkers do better than anybody else. And here's where they do it.

Stan Honda, AFP/Getty Images

10. Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)

Victor Arguinzoniz grills unlikely ingredients over homemade charcoal: baby eels, imperial beluga caviar, oysters. (The fresh chorizo and prawns work, too.)

Theoretically you can't grill a lot of this stuff, but a handcrafted series of pulleys that raise and lower each item makes it possible. Eat here, and no one is eating better.

lesleyk/flickr

11. Sukiyabashi Jiro (Tokyo)

The best sushi on earth? Maybe. Jiro Ono is more than 80 years old, and he's been doing old-school Edo-style sushi his whole life.

Every piece of fish is served at precisely the right temperature and the rice and seaweed alone are blackout good. Ono will ruin sushi for you from anywhere else.

loremipsum/flickr

To anyone familiar with Bourdain and his books and TV show, this list won't come as a huge surprise. It's no secret that he's a huge fan of Thomas Keller, whose Per Se and the French Laundry are both on this list, or that he has had many a spectacular meal in Asia, as evidenced by his inclusion of Singapore's Sin Huat Eating House and the aforementioned Sukiyabashi Jiro. And, as many a vegetarian knows all too well, Bourdain never met an animal he didn't eat, so such high and low meat havens as Katz's Delicatessen and St. John make plenty of sense here.

If anything, the list is less a guide to the world's best (though these places undoubtedly are) than Bourdain's own roving and substantial appetites. Obviously, anyone with a favorite restaurant -- or more specifically, favorite restaurant memory -- is going to take issue with Bourdain's beloveds.

So what do you think: If you were making this list, what would be on it?

Filed Under: Magazines, Lists, Celebrities
Tags: 13 places to eat before you die, 13PlacesToEatBeforeYouDie, anthony bourdain, AnthonyBourdain, bourdain, elbulli, french laundry, FrenchLaundry, katzsdelicatessen, mens health, MensHealth, per se, PerSe, russ and daughters, RussAndDaughters, st. john, St.John

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-03-2009 @7:26PM CookingSchoolConfidential.com said... Today, I had rack of lamb and boar curry at school. These days, culinary school is the place to eat, hands down (it also doesn't hurt that I get to cook the food, too!).

Cheers.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-03-2009 @7:41PM Bill said... I live a little over a mile from OK Joe's and it's worth ever mile you must travel to get there. I know exactly why Anthony likes it. It's inside an old gas station/disc golf shop. It's incredibly unique. They do one thing well and they don't care where they do it. If you ever make it to KC, go to OK Joes on 47th and Mission.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @6:40AM Michael said... I could care less that another famous face is a fan of Thomas Keller. Let me tell you something... I saved up for months so that I could experience French Luandry when I was touring Napa because everyone said it would be one of the highlights of my career (I've been the restaurant biz. for 35 years, and am a certified Sommelier since 1993) and what I got was "I'm sorry we're sold out of that bottle" on not only my first but my second choice too! The recommended bottle was twice as much as the ones I had selected, then the next bottle was corked. Not that it is their fault - they didn't make the wine, but the waiter told me that they didn't want to present me with another bottle of the same and recommended something else. The worst part is that the waiter handled everything. The sommelier didn't come to the table until we were almost finished. As for the food - the courses were too small to share, the tongue was tough, and the duck was undercooked and rubbery. All that for $865 for two people. You know what? Just give me a plate of food and make it taste good, okay?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @7:59AM MOONDOG THE BIG DOG said... Firstly, why would you spent $864 for a meal for two? That's insane. Secondly, if you want a good meal, go to Friendly Farm in Upperco, Maryland. They have excellent meals there, and they don't cost as much.

If you want a good Hot Dog, got Harry's Main Street Grille in Westminster, Maryland. They have the best hot dogs for miles around, made to order.

Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @8:42AM Don said... Based on the menu choices described in some of the inserts, I think it should be "Places to Avoid".

In my opinion $865 for a meal is simply an ignorant waste of ones hard earned money.

Give me a $5.49 Luncheon Special at Vistoso Dragon (top 100 Chinese eateries in USA)in Oro Valley, AZ and I am a happy camper!!!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @9:06AM tim said... He should try Zackie's in Nashville for a great dog. And Per Se is well worth the $500/person.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @9:09AM mybeautifallilly said... One of my favorite places to eat which were I live is like one of your first places to eat is Wasses Hot dogs In Rockland Maine they have the best hot dogs Ive ever had and Ive traveled the U.S.
If your ever In Maine I suggest stopping up in Rockland were about half way up the coast on rout 1 and get a dog or 2 from wasses and if its summer stop at Dormans Dairy Dream and get a sunday
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @9:58AM Gobo said... Bigbizman: don't spam this website with your ads.

Don: I don't know what you mean about "the menu choices" making these "places to avoid". Bourdain's a hardcore carnivore and an adventurous eater, so I can see if marrow on toast isn't your cup of tea, you might want to skip that spot. Otherwise, I guess if you like dull food, you can avoid these places.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @10:24AM Louie said... I've been fortunate enough to eat at two of the places that he recommends, The French Laundry and Le Bernadin. Those were the days when I had money before this recession. Be that as it may, both experiences were wonderful although I expected to be knocked off my feet at The French Laundry. Don't get me wrong, it was quite an experience but I've had meals just as good and even better at other places such as Mary Elaine's in The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona which I'll be going to at the end of this month. Being a New Yorker it's been easier (and more frequent) for me to go to Le Bernadin. It really is a beautiful space with fantastic food. Aah, those were the days. Now I just want to try one of those hot dogs in Chicago!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @10:50AM Colorado person said... This is I guess the poor man's list
1. In and out Burger
2. Tommy burger
3. Apple bee's tequilla lime chicken
4. Popeye's chicken
5. A lobster tail with butter from anywhere
6. A sushi bar (an aquired taste thing)
7. steamed crab leggs (snow or king crab)
8. Brawts with mustard made on your own BBQ
9. salmon marinated in sweet terriaki sauce.
10. A prime rib with horse raddish sauce.

None of mine were on the list? what the h*ll???

Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @11:44AM lynn said... Thanks for the info. If you like mexican food and are ever in El Paso, Tex. try The S&S Coffee Shop. It's great.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @12:52PM raw toast said... Oh great, now the lines around Hot doug's are going to be even longer. God that place rules though.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @1:19PM Carol said... Who cares what this pompous ass thinks? I wouldn't take a recommendation from him if it would cure disease! Screw Bore-dain...he's a pig!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @1:56PM wongtpa said... Bourdain's ego is too big. I don't enjoy his show. I like Zimmer who will eat anything!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-05-2009 @9:01AM steve said... St. John in London has gotten ink everywhere, and tho its specialty is offal, I think maybe it's become a little stuffy. I'm not saying that's why I got the bum's rush there, but it could be.
It was about three years ago, and I arrived about 5 p.m. It's an interesting place, once an auto repair shop or somesuch, with an open concrete area where there's a bar and casual seating. I had a beer, noticed the dining room door off to my left, and looked in. There was not a soul in a room seating maybe 60 persons, all white tableclothed, but plain as something out of Dickens. About 5:30 I stepped in to ask about a table for one. I stood there for a while, ignored; it's a rather odd feeling in a completely deserted restaurant. A sharply dressed waiter setting a table gave me the fish eye. He stepped over with a look on his face like, What could this guy possibly want? Could I get a table for one, I asked? Did I have a reservation? he asked, eyebrows arched.No I didn't. He wagged his head, not so much as a replay, his look saying, "Tsk, tsk, chump, not a chance." I stepped back out onto the concrete-floored garage, ordered a beer and an appetizer that turned out to be two slices of white toast smeared with anchovy paste. I don't think this is the sort of welcome that gets Bourdain so excited.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @4:20PM Andy said... I'm surprised that he hasn't mentioned a fabulous place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Sunrise Blvd and 4th Ave. This little shack of goodness serves the most authentic burgers and fries. Order a shake and you won't regret it. The restaurant has golden arches on the outside but I can't remember the name. Sometimes they even have a clown for the little ones.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @5:30PM Jennifer A said... I like Tony but I nearly keeled over when he came through Phoenix on his "American Southwest" tour and ate at Alice Cooper'sTown. GAHD... he may as well have gone to an Applebees or T.G.I. Friday's. When a person like him blows through town and only goes to a place like that, it negates the overwhelming FACT that Phoenix is a great food city. T. Cooks; Marie Elaine's; Lon's at the Hermosa; Pizzeria Bianco; Roaring Fork; Eddie Matney's; Tarbell's and Vincent (if you're in to spending some money on food); there's some GREAT low-cost treasure's here as well: Rancho de Tia Rosa; Comedor Guadalajara; Raul & Teresa's; Sack's Sandwicherie; Mrs. White's; Lolo's Chicken & Waffles; I could go on. But what Anthony did to Phoenix is inexcusable... go to a place simply because some star owns it. Excuse me but that has NEVER lent credibility to a restaurant. In fact, ANY self-proclaimed "foodie" knows that... in fact, THOSE ARE THE PLACES YOU SEEK TO AVOID.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @5:50PM Mick Spillane said... I miss Katz's Deli. I used to live on Orchard and Houston. But the most underrated deli is Sarge's on 3rd Ave in Murray Hill.

And let's not forget the best Turkish food in the LES (all of Manhattan for that matter): Bereket! I have their menu, framed, in my kitchen.

I always used to walk by Les Halles when I was in grad. school at The New School. I never knew who Anthony was back then, sadly!

Cheers!

Mick
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @6:26PM The Epicure said... To those people who don't understand the essence of a 9+ course tasting menu at the French Laundry, great, stay home, go to TGI Friday's and leave dining to the professionals.

$865 for two people is not unreasonable for those people who can appreciate the best of the best of the best. For those who eat to live, go elsewhere. If you live to eat, this is it.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

6-04-2009 @8:38PM Tex Hill said... I will do as the article asks and actually make a list... all of it is great, some of it is junk food, some of it is super casual, some is fine dining, some is hole in the wall... but you will love every spot.

And in no particular order, here we go:

1. Veeraswamy - London, UK
2. Jake's Burger Joint - Dallas, TX
3. Kyuubei - Ginza District, Tokyo, Japan
4. El Farol - Santa Fe, NM
5. Fish - Sausalito, CA
6. Katz's Deli - NY, NY or Austin, TX
7. Trattoria le Mossacce - Florence, IT
8. Lou Malnati's - Chicago, IL
9. Grey's Green Papaya - NY, NY
10. V. Sattui - Napa, CA
11. Tortilla Flats - Santa Fe, NM
12. Acme Oyster House - New Orleans, LA
13. Tillman's Roadhouse - Dallas, TX

Greatness.
Reply